Sintering of 3YSZ doped with lithium via modified wet chemical method.

Yttria-stabilised zirconia (YSZ) materials are of great interest due to their mechanical properties, chemical inertness, low thermal conductivity and high ionic conductivity. However, a high temperature is required to consolidate the YSZ, while homogeneity problems may arise. This study proposes a modified wet chemical method for commercial YSZ sintering started from a scalable colloidal solution containing yttrium and lithium in an aqueous medium. This homogeneous mixture, adjusted by pH and Li/Y content, transforms into intermediate phases that play a key role as "cement" linking YSZ particles at low sintering temperatures. The originality consists of the use of the citric acid enabling the formation of either porous or dense microstructure depending on processing conditions. A complete follow-up of the transformation of compounds throughout the process, from liquid phase to cement, is proposed and enables us to propose the consolidation mechanism that will be useful for further optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]